Associated Press |
January 23, 2008

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ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have offered their head coaching job to Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith, a person familiar with the search said Wednesday.

The person, who requested anonymity because contract talks between the Falcons and Smith have not been completed, said a news conference could be set for Thursday.

Smith, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second interview with the team Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach.

Smith first interviewed with Falcons owner Arthur Blank before the Jaguars lost to the New England Patriots in a divisional playoff game. His second meeting with the team was his first opportunity to meet newly hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Smith, a former defensive assistant with Baltimore, had the league's No. 12 defense with Jacksonville this season after ranking second in 2006 and sixth in 2005.

ESPN.com, citing league sources, first reported the Falcons were expected to hire Smith.

The team did not wait on an interview with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Falcons were denied permission to interview Spagnuolo while the Giants, preparing for the Super Bowl, are in the postseason.

The Falcons' offer to Smith could mean Ryan returns to Baltimore. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Ryan, who was fired with coach Brian Billick, would be asked back on new coach John Harbaugh's staff if he didn't get the Falcons' job.

Others who interviewed for the job but decided to stay with their current teams were Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell and Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.